Favorite Cars?

[EddMarkStarr]

As long as I live . . . I will never forget the day the stunning 1961 Lincoln Continental first hit the streets!

Over a half century later and this car still turns my head with its understated elegance.

 

[Kyanimal]

I have to totally agree with you on that one!

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Unfortunately, though it may not have made a difference, the "Bubble Top" was off in Dallas, November of '63.

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[briefs4me]

My 2014 GMC Sierra Denali

 

[seioussuction69]

Not that I like trucks, but I would LOVE to drive around in this!

 

[seioussuction69]

This was the car that I got when I moved to California when I was 19, a 1977 Fiat X/19. My uncle bought it new, and this pic was taken in the summer of '89, with my 2 cousins after they washed it. It was a California car that stayed garaged, so not only was it rust free when I got it in '99, it had no sun damage. I grew up in Connecticut where these cars rusted fast, so I was thrilled to get it. Despite what you would think, it was a reliable daily driver that was great on gas, really fun, and went like a bat out of hell because of all the modifications done (supercharged Toyota MR2 engine, suspension upgrades, quad Anza exhaust). It was great cruising around Santa Barbara & flying through winding mountain roads with the top off, and a boyfriend in the passenger seat. This is what I turned it into, this was the last picture taken of "Giorgio" as I called it. I started getting offers for it that were too hard to pass up, and like any college grad, I needed money. It was a decision I've always regretted.

 

[EddMarkStarr]

Can't thank you enough for bringing up the awesome Fiat X/19.

This is the car that turned heads everywhere it went yet was affordable enough to make an excellent graduation gift for a lucky young man.

Even with the funky safety bumpers the X/19 was the car that inspired the Pontiac Fiero, (the X/19 looked better, imho).

How could anyone not modify the X/19? The car practically screamed "slam me!".

 

[Kyanimal]

My earliest memories go back before I was three, judging from my first sister being brought home, and what I remember before that.

I was always fascinated with cars. People were surprised I could tell what any car was simply by looking at it. I recall Packards, and Willys (the car make, not my "hangcuss"), but Pierce Arrows and Duesenbergs were before my time.

The first car that really got my little heart pumping was the MG.

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And, then, these puppies came out ...

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Note that I live in The States.

 

[Kyanimal]

Brook Stevens was an industrial designer, from right here in Milwaukee. He designed everything from the iconic toaster, to cars, and even trains. He was involved with Studebaker, which was also the first dealer for Mercedes in The States.

In the 70's, he began building Excalibers, on Chevy platforms.

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[EddMarkStarr]

Yeah - Brooks Stevens.

Didn't he help with designing the Studebaker Avanti?

 

[Rickrock]

I loved the fins on the cars in the late 50's and early 60's. Also the paint jobs.

 

[Kyanimal]

Yeah - Brooks Stevens.

Didn't he help with designing the Studebaker Avanti?

Although Brook Stevens was heavily involved with Studebaker, he was not part of the amazing Avanti.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studebaker_Avanti

And as far as Studebaker goes, did you know they were initially a wagon company, that built most of the "Conestoga" Wagons that headed into the American West?

 

[EddMarkStarr]

Although Brook Stevens was heavily involved with Studebaker, he was not part of the amazing Avanti.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studebaker_Avanti

And as far as Studebaker goes, did you know they were initially a wagon company, that built most of the "Conestoga" Wagons that headed into the American West?

My dad used to say that Studebaker was the oldest name in the automobile business starting out as a wagon maker in the 1800's.

The Avanti remains one of the most unusual designs in the world of automobiles.

 

[seioussuction69]

DeTomaso MangustaDeTomaso Pantera & Pantera GT5'70 Corvette

 

[seioussuction69]

Fiat X/19BMW Z8Lamborghini Miura SV, the rolling wet dream

 

[seioussuction69]

1970-4 Saab Sonett 3, an odd but great Swedish sports car. My father was a Saab nut and had 4 of these over the years. The original engine was bullet proof, but underpowered. Most owners put in a more powerful engine, and the cars were built strong enough to handle extra power. They look narrow, but they aren't, the long sharp angles just give that illusion. They were great in snow too.

 

[seioussuction69]

1967 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale

 

[EddMarkStarr]

WOW!!!

I love your selection of cars seioussuction69, especially the Saab Sonett. The Saab was one of the cars all my friends in high school couldn't stop talking about.


Here's an American Classic that I first read about as a high school freshman:

The Continental Mark II - 1956

Every automobile manufacturer has that "one car" that represents the company's highest ideals. In the USA the Continental Mark II represents the finest expression of the car America first fell in love with, the Original Lincoln Continental of 1940.

The Continental Mark II took the spirit of that 1940 car to new heights of style and craftsmanship.

The Mark II was available in a variety of colors but I've only ever seen them in black or white. Collectors always display the car with traditional full white-wall tires as befitting a grand luxury automobile.

Photos never do the Mark II justice. Every car lover should see a Mark II in person. It truly is a massively impressive automobile. And it's a fitting tribute to the cars creative force, William Clay Ford Sr.

The Story of the Continental Mark II and William Clay Ford Sr.

 

[Aron9000]

View attachment 1188315 This was the car that I got when I moved to California when I was 19, a 1977 Fiat X/19. My uncle bought it new, and this pic was taken in the summer of '89, with my 2 cousins after they washed it. It was a California car that stayed garaged, so not only was it rust free when I got it in '99, it had no sun damage. I grew up in Connecticut where these cars rusted fast, so I was thrilled to get it. Despite what you would think, it was a reliable daily driver that was great on gas, really fun, and went like a bat out of hell because of all the modifications done (supercharged Toyota MR2 engine, suspension upgrades, quad Anza exhaust). It was great cruising around Santa Barbara & flying through winding mountain roads with the top off, and a boyfriend in the passenger seat.View attachment 1188316 This is what I turned it into, this was the last picture taken of "Giorgio" as I called it. I started getting offers for it that were too hard to pass up, and like any college grad, I needed money. It was a decision I've always regretted.

Never been a huge fan of the X1/9, but looks like you had a lot of fun with yours. Also looks like a great platform to modify and tinker with, kind of a Toyota MR2 before there was a such thing.

Personally I love the "Mark I" MR2. The funky angles, the light weight, great handling, Japanese quality/reliability. I'd love to have one, but then my practical side kind of says 1st or 2nd gen Mazda Miata. Same idea, very light weight, great handling, Japanese quality/reliability, but on the Miata the top goes down, better aftermarket, isn't as old, and way easier to work on(I think that mid engine working on it thing really scares me with the MR2).

 

[seioussuction69]

2016 Mazda MX-5, aka the Miata. To me, they really hit the mark on looks with this restyle. The new Fiat 124 is built on the same chassis and shares most of the same mechanicals, except the Fiat's engine was built in Italy. I never owned a Miata, but an ex-boyfriend had a '95 that I often drove: handled like a Lotus, was incredibly reliable & well built, great on gas, the convertible top could be pulled up or down easily with one hand. I did test drive the new one for fun, which was a huge mistake, because now I have to have one! Sure, there are lots of people who say it's not a manly car, but if they drove one they would shut the fuck up fast. The first generation Miata was inspired by British roadsters, mainly the Lotus Elan, which many consider the finest handling car ever...too bad it had all the durability of a potato chip.

 

[seioussuction69]

The Lotus Esprit series one was a shape I loved: sharp, simple, sexy. Sure, they were mechanical crap, but the handling was telepathic. The Lotus Europa in John Player Special livery is another favorite of mine. The light weight combined with a powerful engine (after '72) and incredible handling made for a great drive. The English say that Lotus stands for "Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious".